Daily Yellowstone journal., 1887-01-04
ERNEST CONRAD.

'I have brought YOU your room. mate"
she began, in her pleasant voice; "Mr.
Oonrad-Mr. Harris"
i had arisen from my sitting posture,
and now advanced toward him TO shake
his hand, a long, warm hand, that took
hold of mine in a wholesome clasp which
inspired confidence at once.
He wa a German. Icould see that at
agiance, even if his name had not sug-
gested il. Yes, he was a German, of the
blondest type, with fiaxen hair, light
blue eyes, and eyebrows and eyelashes
scarcely ~pcrceptible, Although tall and
broad-shouldered, he did not impress me
% being strong. On the contrary, his
pele complexion, fiat chest, and lank
makeup generally, gave him an almost
siekly~ appearance.
liked him at first sight. His large
eyes looked into mine with a directness
that bespoke a clear conscience, and an
Absence OF all disguise. ILL will, or jeal-
ousy. And he greeted me with such a
real, chilhdide smile, as won me com
pletely.
lhltf VIC SHE'LL III WIZ k"F& lii'hAA1s
i could not help saying, after our land
lady, Nj, Barnes had left US, and we
were seated.
-Oh, ! think we shall" he replied.
is your home very far from here:' !
asked him.
-Only Ii teen miles, but | am the only
child OF my parents, and they will be
lonesomp without me, They are so used
to hearing me play the vlolin Il all hours
Of the day, thai they will miss the
music very much, especially my mother"
He sad This with moist eye aud CULVER
ing lip.
You are a musician them" | said.
mo, not yet" he replied, but l hope
TO be one sometime. | have come to
study music"
THE vionny" I asked.
Yes, | mean TO make that lay princi-
pal instrument. l have got i here" At
this, he got up, opened the door to the
hall, where, from his trunk, standing
there, he took the box containing hi
violin. Taking it out, he showed &c to
me.
Il wish you would play something for
me-"
Il don't know much of anything to
play, he replied, turning his instrument,
Il don't think l can play anything we'll"
I was surprised at his playing, as
well as at what he played. Although /
knew not what it was, I could hear
that it was not common. 1t sounded
classic to me, and he played it with a
taste and finish which I had not looked
for.
You have taken lessons BEFORE" !
said, after he had finished.
mot many. There was a German
school teacher in our district, a while,
VINO gave me q lesson here and there.
He was q good musician, but he drank
and was intoxicated most Of his time.
% ! had to learn what little l know
mostly by myself"
you must be very talented then, for
I think you play quite we'll"
Il have a great liking for music. and
always have had since | can remember.
/ would like to go to Europe to study.
but just now / am hardly advanced
enough. lean learn a good deal more
here"
Ernest Conrad proved a very agree
able addition to our family. which con.
sisted Of the landlady. Mrs, Barnes. who
was a widow, her three daughters. a
son and two student boarders, besides
myself. Mrs. Barnes was an easy.going
" man, and allowed each member of
her family 10 do about as he pleased.
The young people drew many visitors
10 the house. Nearly every evening
Mrs. Barnes parlor was filled with
friends of theirs. Most of these were
students of the college or conservatory
of music. or both.
Our new conner soon became a central
figure in these circles. Ii was not long
before it was apparent that he not only
possessed fine musical sense and taste.
but was a natural critic Of the art Of
tones not to be despised. Therefore,
whenever music was in order, and Ern-
es' Conrad present. there was much re-
luctanoe shown on the part of some OF
the more sensitive TO display their &C.
compli>lnnents. He never gave o~ffense.
however. BY proffering his opinion or
advice when it was not asked for. In
fact, his innate regard for others feel
ings, ~ well AZ his great modesty, would
scarcely allow him 10 express any
thing that could discourage or
dishearten. Still. many of those who
performed before him were quite ambi-
tious OF gaining his good opinion OF their
musical talents and attainments.
For he had the true sense of
what ought to be required Of an art
list On the piano or violin, as well as of a
singer. What do you think Of the mt.
sicians hereY" / asked him after we had
retired TO our room on the first evening
after his arrival.
well. I think" he replied, that Miss
Mary Barnes might be a good player II
she had the right instruction. She seems
20 have the right idea, but lacks the
technique TO carry il out"
-You seem TO understand the piano, as
well as the violin. Do you play the piano,
tool"
-No, I can't say that I play 1t. I drum
on it a little. But I have my idea as to
what good piano playing ought TO be.
As on the violin, one must first play well
mechanically before he a play music
ally"
well, then, how do you like Miss
Mary's singing2" I asked.
oa